BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Before submitting an application or reaching out, please take a moment to review the FAQs at the bottom of this page. Many common questions about our adoption and foster process are already answered there.
As a volunteer-run rescue, our time and resources are limited. Reviewing the FAQs helps us focus on what matters most: finding loving homes for the Great Danes and giant breeds in our care.
Thank you for your understanding and support!
READY TO ADOPT?
Team Rocky follows a careful adoption process to ensure the best match for both our dogs and their future families. Here’s what to expect:
2. Application
Once you’ve found a dog, complete our adoption application, which will be reviewed by one of our dedicated application processors.
3. Veterinary Reference Check
We contact your veterinarian to confirm that any current or past pets were properly cared for. First-time pet owners are welcome!
4. Phone Interview
We’ll speak with you by phone to learn about your lifestyle, experience, and what you’re looking for in a companion. This is also a chance for you to ask questions about the dog and our rescue.
5. Home Check
A home visit—either virtual or in person—ensures your environment is safe and suitable for a giant breed.
6. Final Steps
Once approved, you’ll sign an adoption contract and submit the adoption donation. Then your new best friend will be ready to come home!
ENJOY YOUR HAPPY TAIL!
Bringing home a new dog is exciting, but it can also take time for them to adjust. Many rescue dogs go through a decompression period, and the 3-3-3 rule is a helpful way to understand what to expect:
First 3 Days:
Your dog may feel overwhelmed, unsure, or scared. They might sleep a lot, withdraw, or test boundaries as they begin to adjust to their new surroundings.
First 3 Weeks:
This is the settling-in phase. Your dog starts learning the household routine, becoming more comfortable, and showing more of their personality.
First 3 Months:
By this point, most dogs are fully at home, building trust, and forming a strong bond with their new family.
Being patient, consistent, and supportive during this time helps your new companion thrive and creates the foundation for a happy, lasting relationship.
ADOPTION FAQS
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Please submit your application through our adoption application. Once it’s determined to be a good match, our Adoptions Team will coordinate with the foster to schedule a one-on-one meeting at a pre-arranged time.
Since many of our fosters are located in different cities, this meeting may initially take place via video call to help you get to know the dog before an in-person visit.
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Completing the application gives us a chance to learn about you, your family, and your home, so we can match you with the dog that best fits your lifestyle, needs, and hopes for a new companion.
It also ensures we have all the information needed to place our rescue dogs in safe, loving homes. This process helps protect the well-being of both our dogs and the families who adopt them, now and in the future.
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A veterinarian reference helps us understand how you’ve cared for your current or past pets, including vaccinations, heartworm prevention, annual check-ups, and other essential care that keeps them healthy and happy.
Don’t worry if you’ve never owned a pet before — we never automatically disqualify first-time pet owners. Our goal is simply to ensure every dog we place will be loved, well cared for, and set up for a long, happy life.
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The application is your chance to tell us about you, your family, and your home. The phone interview is our opportunity to share more about Team Rocky and, most importantly, to give you detailed information about the dog you’re interested in adopting.
During this conversation, you’ll learn about the dog’s personality, medical history, any special care needs, and even their adorable quirks—like sitting on the edge of the bathtub or adjusting to life after a rough past. This step is one of the most important parts of the adoption process.
It’s also your chance to ask any questions about the dog or our rescue, so you feel confident and prepared.
Our goal is to carefully match each dog with the home best suited to their needs. For example, a dog with separation anxiety may do best in a home where someone is present most of the day, while a dog with specific breed traits may thrive with an adopter experienced with giant breeds.
Every step of this process is designed to ensure the best possible match—for both you and the dog. We take the time to get it right because we want every adoption to be a forever home.
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It’s not about trust, we just need to make sure your home is truly set up to keep a Great Dane safe and happy. Whether that means a fenced yard, the ability to safely leash-walk in an apartment or rural area, or another secure setup, the home check helps confirm that your living situation matches what’s on your application.
Unfortunately, some applicants misrepresent their homes, so this step ensures your future dog will be safe and that your environment is a good fit for a giant breed.
Don’t worry, we’re not inspecting for dust or décor! We’re simply checking that your home is safe, secure, and welcoming for the dog you hope to adopt.
After all, we’re here for wagging tails, not dust bunnies.
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If your vet check, phone interview, and home check all go smoothly, we’ll notify you that you’re approved to adopt the dog you applied for.
When you’re ready to bring your new companion home, you’ll sign an adoption contract. This is a standard step for most rescues—it protects the safety and well-being of the dog and provides important assurances for you as their new family.
Our commitment to our dogs doesn’t end when they leave our care. Team Rocky remains here to support you and your Dane for the life of your pet.
Once you adopt from us, you become a part of the Team Rocky family for life.
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If you ever find yourself unable to keep your dog, please contact us immediately. We will gladly take your dog back into our care.
Many of our dogs come from heartbreaking situations, and we never want them to return to unsafe conditions—or worse, face the risk of euthanasia. Our dedicated team members will welcome your dog, provide foster care, and help them find another loving home.
Once a dog is part of the Team Rocky family, they always have a place with us.
Thank you for helping us ensure their safety, well-being, and happiness remain our top priority.
